San Francisco group holds panel discussion on Prop 8, DOMA

For those who couldn't sit in on the Supreme Court's historic debate this week on two same-sex marriage cases, there was an opportunity in San Francisco Thursday night to not only hear excerpts of what the justices said, but to also talk about what's likely to happen.

A group of Bay Area residents listened intently during a panel discussion at the LGBT Community Center in San Francisco. They heard some of the oral arguments from the Supreme Court this week about Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Experts then gave their take on what was said.

"I think there's a very good chance that the court is going to strike DOMA down. I don't think it's going to be in a sweeping, ringing ruling but I think there's a very good chance the court will strike DOMA down," said Matt Coles, Deputy National Legal Director for the American Civil Liberties Union.

But when it comes to Prop. 8, Coles believes it's likely the court will decide the case wasn't properly brought before it because the state didn't appeal.

"That sends the case back down to the very first court that heard it, district court, but the end result in that case was an order saying that Prop. 8 couldn't be enforced," Coles said.

That would mean same-sex couples would be able to marry in California.

Amos Lim is already married. He and his husband are proud dads to 5-year-old Alicia, or Allie as she now likes to be called.

"We're hoping that Prop 8 gets overturned by the Supreme Court so that, you know, all Californians who want to get married can get married whether you're straight or you're gay," Lim said.

He's optimistic about a favorable outcome, but will press forward with the fight for equality, regardless.

"There are now nine states that allow you to get married," Lim said. "You know, we're not going to disappear. We're just going to be there and keep pushing and fighting for our rights."

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling in both cases by June.

We know what's happening is historic. But to give it a little perspective, one woman told me it's a little scary to know the Supreme Court is about to decide whether she is equal.